Enhancement of tensile strength and fracture toughness characteristics of banana fibre reinforced epoxy composites with nano MgO fillers

Abstract

Natural fibre reinforced polymer composites have drawn the attention of researchers in the creation of novel materials suitable for industrial applications. These polymer composites have favourable mechanical characteristics. Epoxy polymer's versatility and diversity make it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. The mould casting technique approach was utilised in this work to develop polymer composites using alkali-treated banana fibres and filled with MgO nanoparticle. The study was conducted on the characteristics of Nano MgO, as well as its mechanical qualities such as fracture toughness and surface morphology. The incorporation of Nano MgO enhanced the fracture toughness of the polymer composites with the addition of 1 % MgO. The scanning electron microscopy analysis of the surface morphology revealed the presence of brittle fracture in the specimen.

Keywords

• Nano Magnesium oxide
• Fracture toughness
• Banana fiber
• Alkali treated